在大肠杆菌中高效表达人I型免疫缺陷病毒p24蛋白

目的 表达人Ｉ型免疫缺陷病毒（ＨＩＶ－１）衣壳蛋白ｐ２４，为制备抗ｐ２４单克隆抗体及其诊断抗原奠定基础。方法 将编码ＨＩＶ－１ｐ２４蛋白的ｐ２４＾ｇａｇ基因片段，克隆到原核表达载体ｐＥＴ－１７ｂ的Ｔ７噬菌体启动子下游，构建重组表达质粒，转化大肠肝菌ＢＬ２（ＤＥ３），ＩＰＴＧ诱导表达，表达产物以ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ，Ｗｅｓｔｅｒｎｂｌｏｔｔｉｎｇ及点免疫印迹分析，结果 构建成功重组表达质粒ｐＥＴ２４经Ｉ     

恶性疟原虫裂殖子表面蛋白1-17区基因的原核表达、纯化及表达产物鉴定

目的　为进一步研究和应用恶性疟原虫裂殖子表面蛋白１ 的１７区基因（ＭＳＰ１－ １７）,本文原核表达了ＦＵＰ株ＭＳＰ１ 的１７ 区基因,并纯化及鉴定了表达蛋白。方法　将ＭＳＰ１－ １７ 基因片段克隆入原核表达载体ｐＧＥＸ－ ４Ｔ－ １,形成ｐＧＥＸ－ ４Ｔ－ １／ＭＳＰ１－ １７。ＩＰＴＧ诱导ｐＧＥＸ－ ４Ｔ－ １／ＭＳＰ１－ １７ 转化的ＢＬ２１菌,纯化并用ＭＳＰ１－ １７ 特异性单克隆抗体鉴定表达产物。结果　成功地构建了ｐＧＥＸ－ ４Ｔ－ １／ＭＳＰ１－ １７,转化菌经诱导表达出与ＧＳＴ融合的蛋白（约４０ＫＤ）,纯化后纯度达７２％ ,ＭＳＰ１－ １７ 特异性单克隆抗体可识别表达蛋白。结论　成功表达并纯化了ＭＳＰ１－ １７ 蛋白,为深入研究和应用ＭＳＰ１－ １７ 打下基础     

应用长片段PCR扩增全长HIV— 1DNA的研究

目的 探讨长征段ＰＣＲ（ＬＤ－ＰＣＲ）扩增特点,并将它用于对全长ＨＩＶ ＤＮＡ的研究。方法 应用ＬＴＤ（Ｕ５）／ＬＴＤ（Ｒ）,ＣＬ－ＮＳＣ／ＣＬ－ＮＥＦ和ｇａｇＡｌ／ｇａｇＡ２等不同引物,＾３２Ｐｇａｇ,ｐｏｌ,ｎｅｆ和ｔａｔ等为片段探针,对克隆有ＨＩＶ－１完整基因片段,部分基因片段的质粒和ＨＶＩ感染者外周血单核细胞（ＰＢＭＣ）中的ＨＩＶ－１ ＤＮＡ进行扩增。结果 ＬＤ－ＰＣＲ对０．４－９ｋｂ的第     

在重组痘苗病毒中共表达HIV一1 env与hIL一6基因

本实验以ＨＩＶ－１ｅｎｖ与ｈＩＬ－６基因在重组痘苗病毒中的共表达研究为目的,将痘苗病毒复制非必需区血凝素（ＨＡ）基因作为侧翼,把编码人白细胞介素６的基因片段克隆真核表达质粒ｐＪ３８ｅｎｖ的下游,构建成含有ＨＩＶ－１ｅｎｖ与ｈＩＬ－６两种外源基因因的重组表达质粒ＰＪ３８Ｅ－ＩＬ６,经同源重组和血凝素阴性空斑筛选,获得了重组痘苗病毒ｖＪ３８Ｅ－ＩＬ６、经间接免疫荧光试验,Ｄｏｔ－ＥＬＩＳＡ和Ｗｅｓｔｅ     

恶性疟原虫组氨酸富集蛋白Ⅱ抗原基因在大肠杆菌中的表达及表达蛋白的活性鉴定研究

目的恶性疟原虫组氨酸富集蛋白Ⅱ（Ｈｉｓｔｉｄｉｎｅ－ｒｉｃｈｐｒｏｔｅｉｎⅡ,ＨＲＰⅡ）是疟原虫红内期生活史过程中从感染红细胞分泌至血浆中的水溶性抗原,是重要的诊断用抗原。本文通过实现恶性疟原虫ＨＲＰⅡ在大肠杆菌中的表达,为研制用于疟疾诊断的抗ＨＲＰⅡ单克隆抗体奠定基础。方法将含有ＨＲＰⅡ抗原基因的重组表达质粒ＨＲＰⅡ／ｐＥＴ８ｃ用钙法转化大肠杆菌ＢＬ２１（ＤＥ３）,重组子经聚合酶链反应（ＰＣＲ）和ＢａｍＨＩ与ＢｇｌⅡ双酶切鉴定。重组子ＨＲＰⅡ／ｐＥＴ８ｃ／ＢＬ２１（ＤＥ３）在２８℃条件下,用１ｍＭＩＰＴＧ诱导表达,ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ和Ｗｅｓｔｅｒｎ免疫印迹分析表达产物。结果成功构建ＨＲＰⅡ／ｐＥＴ８ｃ重组质粒,在低温条件下经ＩＰＴＧ诱导,ＨＲＰⅡ呈可溶性、非融合性表达,ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ分析表明表达产物的分子量约３３ｋＤａ,薄层扫描显示表达蛋白占菌体总蛋白的２０．７６％。Ｗｅｓｔｅｒｎ免疫印迹表明,表达产物能被抗ＨＲＰⅡ人工合成九肽单克隆抗体特异识别。结论恶性疟原虫ＨＲＰⅡ在原核表达系统ｐＥＴ８ｃ／ＢＬ２１（ＤＥ３）中获得成功表达,为基因工程大规模制备生产ＨＲＰⅡ抗原奠定基础     

HIV抗体ELISA阳性标本蛋白印迹确证试验的研究

用获ＦＤＡ准许的美国ＣａｍｂｒｉｄｇｅＢｉｏｔｅｃｈ公司ＨＩＶ－１蛋白印迹试剂盒（ＷＢ）对ＨＩＶ－１／２抗体诊断试剂盒（ＥＬＩＳＡ）初筛阳性的６２份血清标本做确证试验。一次性确证ＨＩＶ抗体阳性者８名；阴性者１２名；不确定者４２名。对８名ＨＩＶ抗体不确定者做追访采样监测，其中１人１２天后ＷＢ血清ＨＩＶ抗体由不确定性转为阳性，另７人在６～１５个月经２～３次采样检测，ＷＢ区带反应无变化或略有变化。本研究证实ＷＢ不确定者，若有ＨＩＶｅｎｖ（ｇｐ１６０、ｇｐ１２０、ｇｐ４１）区带反应，ＨＩＶ血清抗体可能转阳；若仅ＨＩＶｐｏｌ（ｐ３１、ｐ５１、ｐ６６）和／或ｇａｇ（Ｐ１７、Ｐ２４、Ｐ５５）区带反应，很大可能是非特异性反应。虽ＥＬＩＳＡ阳性，而ＷＢ不确定者血清主要呈ｐ２４抗体反应（４２．９％，１８／４２）与ｐ２４、ｐ１７抗体反应（２８．６％，１２／４２）。     

赖型钩体重组质粒及表达保护性抗原,p68的研究

目的　寻找钩体病基因工程疫苗保护性抗原候选。方法　 （１） 鸟枪法构建赖型钩体０１７ 株基因库; （２） α互补、 Ｄ Ｎ Ａ 原位杂交筛选重组质粒; （３） Ｓｏｕｔｈｅｒｎ 杂交行 Ｄ Ｎ Ａ 同源性分析; （４） 双脱氧链中止测重组 Ｄ Ｎ Ａ 序列及与外膜蛋白基因 （ｏｍｐ） 匹配; （５） Ｉ Ｐ Ｔ Ｇ 诱导重组子表达; （６） 免疫印迹、 Ｍ Ａ Ｔ、 Ｅ Ｉ Ａ、 Ｍ Ｔ Ｔ 检测表达蛋白抗原特性及 Ｉ Ｌ—２ 、 Ｉ Ｌ—６ 活性; （７） 纯化表达蛋白ｐ６８ 进行豚鼠主动免疫 攻击实验, 观免疫保护性。结果　 （１） 重组质粒ｐ Ｄ Ｊ Ｈ２ （ 亚克隆ｐ Ｄ Ｊｔ） 插入片段１９ｋｂ , 与各致病钩体不同片段 Ｄ Ｎ Ａ 高度同源; （２） 序列测定插入片段实际１８１１ｂｐ , 推测有２ 个读框 （ Ｏ Ｒ Ｆ） , 各有启动子、终止密码。查 Ｇｅｎ Ｂａｎｋ Ｅ Ｍ Ｂ Ｌ 无类似序列; （３） 表达蛋白分子量６８ｋ Ｄ （ｐ６８） ; （４） ｐ６８ 是胸腺依赖性 （ Ｔ Ｄ） 抗原,有良好抗原特性, 抗血清效价１ ： ５２４２８８ , （ Ｅ Ｉ Ａ） 具很强的动物免疫保护作用。结论　 （１） ｐ６８ 编码基因是致病钩体保护性抗原基因; （２） ｐ６８ 是致病钩体外膜保护性抗原,     

编码弓形虫ROP1蛋白基因的体外扩增、克隆及在E.coli中的表达

目的构建弓形虫棒状体蛋白（ＲＯＰ１）基因重组质粒并在Ｅ．ｃｏｌｉ中表达。方法用ＲＨ株接种小鼠,收集腹水,纯化速殖子,抽提基因组ＤＮＡ;据ＲＯＰ１基因序列设计合成一对引物,将上、下游引物分别引入ＥｃｏＲＩ,ＢａｍＨＩ酶切位点,用ＰＣＲ技术从ＲＨ株基因组ＤＮＡ中扩增编码ＲＯＰ１的基因片段,插入ｐＢＶ２２０质粒,转化大肠杆菌ＤＨ５α感受态细胞,于氨苄阳性ＬＢ培养平板上筛选阳性克隆,酶切鉴定;经温度诱导在Ｅ．ｃｏｌｉ中表达,ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ及免疫印迹分析。结果ＲＯＰ１基因体外扩增产物大小与预期值相符,约７５６ｂｐ;构建成功ｐＢＶ２２０－ＲＯＰ１重组质粒;ＳＤＳ－ＰＡＧＥ、免疫印迹显示特异蛋白条带的分子量约４３ｋＤ,表达产量约占菌体蛋白１３．２３％。结论从弓形虫基因组ＤＮＡ中获取ＲＯＰ１基因,并成功构建ｐＢＶ２２０－ＲＯＰ１重组质粒,诱导表达ＲＯＰ１非融合蛋白,为进一步分离纯化、用于对弓形虫侵入机制及免疫特性的研究做好准备。     

重组质粒pGEX—6P—1／Sj—FABPc的构建及在大肠杆菌中的表达

目的 构建基因工程菌株、获得重组蛋白Ｓｊ－ＦＡＢＰｃ（日本血吸虫脂肪酸结合蛋白）。方法 用ＰＣＲ法从日本血吸虫ｃＤＮＡ文库中扩增Ｓｊ－ＦＡＢＰｃ基因片段，再将该片段重组于ｐＧＥＭ－Ｔ中并进行ＤＮＡ测序鉴定，经酶切后将目的片段构建成重组质粒ｐＧＥＸ－６Ｐ－１／Ｓｊ－ＦＡＢＰｃ，转化于大肠杆菌ＢＬ２１，ＩＰＴＧ诱导表达。用Ｇｌｕｔａｔｈｉｏｎｅ Ｓｅｐｈａｒｏｓｅ＾ＴＭ ４Ｂ亲和层析柱对表达产物进行纯     

恶性疟原虫疫苗研究X.MSP1中类表皮生长因子1与PfCMR基因？…

目的 克隆并表达恶性疟原虫重组复合抗原，为疟疾疫苗研究奠定基础。方法 将恶性疟原虫ＭＳＰ１中类表皮生长因子１（ＥＧＦ－１）基因与人工化学合成的抗原复合基因ＰｆＣＭＲ串接，插入高效非融合型蛋白表达载体ｐＢＶ２２０，转化大肠杆菌ＤＨ５ａ，转化菌经４２℃热诱导表达，表达产物用Ｗｅｓｔｅｒｎ ｂｌｏｔ和Ｄｏｔ－ＥＬＩＳＡ分析。结果 构建成功重组质粒ｐＢＶ２２０／ＰｆＣＭＲ－ＥＧＦ－１，经热诱导后表达出含外     

在大肠杆菌中高效表达人Ⅰ型免疫缺陷病毒p24蛋白

In order to study the capsid protein (p24) of human immunodeficiency virus type 1(HIV-1),a plasmid vector pET24,containing the p24^gaq gene fragment encoding the p24 protein under the control of the bacteriophage T7 promoter ,was constructed.The pET24 plasmid-highly expressed a 30kDa protein of s10-p24 spanning 284 amino acid residues.The total amount of the fusion protein was approximately 38.4% of the total celluar protein in Escherchia coli BL21(DE3).Westein blotting and,immunodot blotting indicated that the recombinain protein could be relognized by anti-p24 monoclonal antibody and HIV-1 positive sera respectively.It is significance for preparing specific antibody,and diagnostic usage.     

在大肠杆菌中高效表达人Ⅰ型免疫缺陷病毒p24蛋白

目的表达人Ⅰ型免疫缺陷病毒（HIV—1）衣壳蛋白p24,为制备抗p24单克隆抗体及其诊断杭原奠定基础。方法将编码HIV—1p24蛋白的P24(gag)基因片段,克隆到原核表达载体PET—17b的T7噬菌体启动子下游,构建重组表达质粒;转化大肠杆菌BL2（DE3）,IPTG诱导表达,表达产物以SDS-PAGE、Westernblotting及点免疫印迹分析。结果构建成功重组表达质粒pET24,经IPG诱导,p24(gag)基因片段在大肠杆菌BL21（DE3）中高效表达,产物为30kDa的810—p24融合蛋白,表达量占菌体总蛋白的38.4％;重组p24蛋白均与抗p24单克隆抗体及HIV—1阳性血清发生特异性反应。结论重组P24蛋白具有较好的免疫活性,是制备抗P24单克隆抗体及诊断试剂的理想抗原。     

Serum HIV-1 p24 antibody, HIV-1 RNA copy number and CD4 lymphocyte percentage are independently associated with risk of mortality in HIV-1-infected children. National Institute of Child Health and Human Development Intravenous Immunoglobulin Clinical Trial Study Group

OBJECTIVE: The role of HIV-1 antibody in modulating disease progression must be assessed in the context of other immune and viral load markers. We evaluated the association between HIV-1 p24 antibody, HIV-1 RNA, immune complex-dissociated (ICD) p24 antigen, CD4 cell percentage, and mortality in a cohort of 218 HIV-infected children enrolled in a trial of intravenous immunoglobulin prophylaxis of bacterial infections. METHODS: CD4 cell percentage was measured and sera collected and stored at baseline and every 3 months on study (1988-1991). Stored sera were assayed for HIV-1 p24 antibody, HIV-1 RNA, and ICD p24 antigen. Mortality was recorded during the trial and updated through 1996 (mean total follow-up, 6.3 years). RESULTS: Eighty-one (37%) children died; probability of mortality for children with baseline HIV-1 p24 antibody concentrations of undetectable (< 1), 1-4, 5-124, and > or = 125 reciprocal titer units (RTU) was 61, 50, 24, and 10%, respectively. A 3.5-fold increase in the relative risk (RR) of death [95% confidence interval (CI), 2.2-5.5] was observed among children with baseline HIV-1 p24 antibody concentration < 5 RTU compared with > or = 5 RTU. In multivariate analyses, p24 antibody, HIV-1 RNA, and CD4 cell percentage but not ICD p24 antigen were independently associated with mortality; the RR of death increased by 1.7 (95% CI, 1.3-2.1) for each log10 decrement in baseline HIV-1 p24 antibody. CONCLUSIONS: HIV-1 p24 antibody, HIV-1 RNA and CD4 cell percentage independently predict mortality amongst infected children. Whereas CD4 cell percentage provides an estimate of the general degree of immune suppression, HIV-1 p24 antibody could provide an easily obtained, inexpensive assessment of CD4 cell function and could augment prognostic information provided by CD4 cell count and viral load for clinical management of infected children.     

Prevalence of antibodies to the core protein P17, a serological marker during HIV-1 infection.

Studies on monitoring the immune response to viral structural proteins during human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1) infection have established the significance of antibodies to the core protein p24 during the progression of the disease. We have studied the prevalence of antibodies to the core protein p17 in order to study their diagnostic and prognostic significance in the pathogenesis of HIV-1. Full-length HIV-1 p17, molecularly cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli was purified by immunoaffinity chromatography using an HIV-1 p17-specific monoclonal antibody. A highly sensitive enzyme-linked immunoassay was developed using the purified recombinant p17 as the serological target to detect antibodies to p17. The results indicated that antibodies to p17 decline during progression of disease, with the decline being more dramatic as patients moved from asymptomatic to AIDS-related complex (ARC). Patient specimens deficient in p24 antibody, but having detectable levels of antibody to p17 were almost always positive for p24 antigen. Under these conditions, p17 antibody is an important serological marker because it provides a more consistent marker for core antigens during HIV-1 infection.     

弓形虫沉默信号调节子2(TgSir2)的克隆表达与多克隆抗体制备

目的 制备特异识别弓形虫沉默信号调节子2(TgSir2)多克隆抗体。方法 以酵母Sir2氨基酸序列为模板,寻找弓形虫基因组中同源序列,并进行信号肽预测。以弓形虫RH株cDNA为模板,构建pET28b-TgSir2重组质粒,转化入大肠埃希菌(E. coli)BL21,经异丙基-β-D-硫代半乳糖苷(IPTG)诱导表达后,用镍柱亲和层析法纯化诱导表达产物,并以小鼠抗His标签单克隆抗体作为一抗,蛋白质印迹(Western blotting)进行鉴定。以纯化的TgSir2蛋白作为抗原免疫新西兰大白兔,获得特异性抗TgSir2多克隆抗体。最后,以此多克隆抗体作为一抗,Western blotting检测与虫体蛋白的反应情况。结果 同源比对找到弓形虫基因组中TgSir2,信号肽分析提示1-15位氨基酸为其信号肽序列。PCR、双酶切及测序结果证实原核表达质粒构建成功。SDS-PAGE结果表明,IPTG可诱导TgSir2融合蛋白的大量表达。Western blotting结果显示,制备的多克隆抗体既能特异性识别原核表达的TgSir2蛋白,也能识别弓形虫体内的内源性TgSir2蛋白。结论 制备的抗重组TgSir2蛋白多克隆抗体能特异性识别弓形虫RH株的TgSir2蛋白。     

Reactivities of HIV-1 gag-derived peptides with antibodies of HIV-1-infected and uninfected humans.

A group of 41 peptides, each 24 amino acids long and overlapping with each other by 12 residues spanning the total gag open reading frame (orf) of HIV-1 (HTLV-IIIBH 10 isolate) were synthesized using Fmoc chemistry. The purified compounds were used in ELISA assays and tested for antibody reactivities in sera of human HIV-1-infected and noninfected individuals. Sera of HIV- humans showed reactivity against four defined regions, two in p17, one in p24, and one in p15. The values of these reactivities were elevated especially in serum samples of HIV- individuals showing cross-reaction with gag proteins on Western blot. Amino acid sequence comparison of HIV-1 gag proteins with those of human endogenous retroviruses (ERV K10, ERV 3) revealed significant similarities predominantly in the domains showing elevated antibody cross-reactions. The majority of sera from HIV-1+ individuals showed strong reactivities to the cross-reactive regions and to various other peptide sequences, a sequential epitope recognized by all HIV-1+ sera could, however, not be identified. The results suggest that human individuals may have immune reactions to endogenous retroviral protein sequences, which are enhanced by infections with HIV-1. Specific antibodies to HIV-1 gag proteins are probably mainly directed to tertiary structure defined epitopes formed by particle formation of the p24 monomers to the nucleocapsid.     

Quantitative analysis of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 antibody reactivity by western immunoblots: evaluation of relative antibody levels in seropositive individuals and mothers.

A quantitative analysis of antibody responses to human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) proteins using Western immunoblots and 125I-labeled protein A is reproducible and can be validated. The antibody levels obtained by Western immunoblots were compared with stoichiometric p24 radioimmunoassay over a wide range of antibody (correlation coefficient, .94; P less than .001). Antibody levels to gp160 and gp120 were validated using purified antigens. Analysis of antibody levels from 31 seropositive individuals revealed a statistically significant correlation between antibody levels to p24 and the other viral proteins except gp120. Anti-gag p24 antibody was strongly correlated with antibodies to other env products, specifically gp41 and gp160. Using the validated assay, HIV-1-infected mothers of infants were found to have highly variable levels of antibody to all viral proteins. Mothers of infected infants did not differ significantly from mothers of uninfected infants in antibody pattern or levels to any viral protein including gp120.     

Preparation and characterization of an intravenous solution of IgG from human immunodeficiency virus-seropositive donors

An intravenous solution of 99% pure globulin (hyperimmune IgG, HIVIG) was obtained from pooled plasma of selected human immunodeficiency virus (HIV-1)-seropositive asymptomatic donors with greater than 400 CD4+/microliters cells per microliter and a high titer of antibody to HIV-1 p24 protein. HIVIG had high titers of antibody to p24, glycoprotein 41 (gp41), and gp120, group-specific neutralizing activity, and binding to the gp120 hypervariable loop region. It inhibited syncytia formation. At low concentration, it enhanced viral production of HIV-1 in infected peripheral blood monocytes but was inhibitory at higher concentration. HIVIG directed group-specific antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity against HIV-infected targets. For a period of 6 to 28 months, plasma donors kept stable antibody titers and had a 1.0% decrease in CD4+ cells per month. One gram per kilogram HIVIG injected in two juvenile chimpanzees was well tolerated and did not transmit HIV, as measured by negative cell culture, IgM immune response to HIV proteins, and polymerase chain reaction. The mean half-life of HIV-1 p24 antibody was 15 days. These preliminary data suggest that HIVIG is a safe product suitable for clinical trial in HIV-1-infected individuals.     

刚地弓形虫硫氧还蛋白基因的克隆 表达及鉴定

目的 目的 克隆刚地弓形虫硫氧还蛋白 （Thioredoxin,Trx） 基因, 构建原核表达载体, 通过诱导表达和纯化蛋白, 免 疫家兔制备多克隆抗体。方法 方法 采用PCR技术扩增刚地弓形虫Trx基因, 克隆至原核表达载体pET?28a （+） 中, 转化大肠 埃希菌 （E. coli） Rosetta, 用IPTG诱导目的蛋白表达, 采用镍亲和层析法获得纯化蛋白并免疫家兔制备多克隆抗体。利用 Western blotting技术鉴定多克隆抗体的特异性。结果 结果 成功从刚地弓形虫 cDNA 中扩增出 Trx 目的基因, 构建了 Trx/pET?28a （+） 重组质粒, 获得抗Trx重组蛋白的多克隆抗体。Western blotting技术检测出弓形虫Trx蛋白的特异性条 带。结论 结论 用制备的兔抗Trx多克隆抗体能检测弓形虫Trx在速殖子内的表达, 为进一步深入研究刚地弓形虫Trx功能 奠定了基础。     

Decline in CTL and antibody responses to HIV-1 p17 and p24 antigens in HIV-1-infected hemophiliacs irrespective of disease progression. A 5-year follow-up study.

CTL and antibody responses to HIV-1 p17 and p24 antigens were monitored from 1986-1991, in 4 hemophiliacs. The patients had been infected with HIV-1 between 1980 and 1984. Two patients have remained asymptomatic while two progressed to AIDS in 1990. CTL were boosted by culturing with peptides from p17 aa 86-115, or p24 aa 265-279; and aa 270-373 or PHA. Lysis was measured on autologous or allogeneic targets pulsed with peptides or infected with recombinant vaccinia virus carrying HIV-1 gag or influenza A matrix genes. Antibodies to p17 and p24 were tested by ELISA using peptides and by Western blotting. High levels of CTL activity to p17 and p24 antigens could be generated only with lymphocytes from the two asymptomatic patients between 1986 and 1989, but these responses were absent in 1990 and 1991. Antibodies to p17 peptides disappeared in parallel with CTL activity. Antibodies to some p24 peptides also declined but most patients retained activity to others. In all patients a > or = 3-fold increase in CD8+ cell numbers occurred over time and accompanied the decline of CTL and antibody responses. The loss of CTL and p17 antibodies occurred irrespective of whether patients remained asymptomatic or progressed to AIDS in the intervening two years.